The electric version of the classic M3SW, the M3SWE mandolin from Washburn features North American solid figured maple sides and back in a trans red finish. Battery powered preamp has volume, treble and bass sliders. Gold hardware and pearloid tuners adorn this cutaway Florentine-style mandolin. Includes case.

I bought a used one of these a few years back when I started to get serious about playing mandolin. I have been very happy with it both for its playability and overall quality....Read complete review

I bought a used one of these a few years back when I started to get serious about playing mandolin. I have been very happy with it both for its playability and overall quality. The mandolin itself needed some minor setup to get the string action and pitch at the upper frets to be spot on. Once it was set though, it has been great. In the last year or so I have started gigging with it quite a bit and it has proven to be very rugged and reliable.

The one thing that I didn't like about it though was the tone controls. It tended to be too treble-y when I would play though a large PA system. I had to turn my treble slider all the way down and my bass all the way up to get something that wasn't too punchy. Even then I just didn't like the sound. The crucial mids were getting muddled while trying to pull the highs under control. To work around this I ended up purchasing a Boss GE-7 equalizer pedal so I could control the exact bands I needed to. Since then this thing sounds GREAT on stage.

Overall, I am very happy with this great looking insturment.

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Love the way it plays.As far as the electronics go it is junk.It has been sent in again for replacement.You never know when it will quit working.This is the second time it has died during...Read complete review

Love the way it plays.As far as the electronics go it is junk.It has been sent in again for replacement.You never know when it will quit working.This is the second time it has died during a performance. It takes at least two months to get it back each time.

I have 5 Washburn guitars and have been playing them since the late 70s. I love them all but when I got this Mandolin I was shocked at how poorly it was made. The binding looks like a child attempted to put it on so I called and sent it back. The person on the phone assured me they would hand pick a good one and send it out. Well....The second one was even worse than the first.....lesson learned.....no more Washburns for this guy. Apparently there is no quality control over there in China. I ordered a Michael Kelly Legacy Dragonfly that should arrive today.....we will see if I write another review like this one.

I was skeptical and thankful that the return policy is such that I felt safe if it turned out to be a "lemon" BUT I was completely blown away by the absolute awesome quality of the Washburn M3SWE Mandolin! I have purchased many products from Musicians Friend over the years and have returned one or two items that just didn't turn out to be what I was looking for but never due to poor quality or misleading advertising. I am going to cut to the chase! I am 100% overjoyed with the mandolin I have in my possession right now and if it's because I just got lucky and happened to get a good one then 'so-be-it' but this Washburn M3SWE mandolin is amazing. Tunes perfectly, precisely, and smoothly. Action is consistent, clean, and comfortable. Not a blemish or negative looking aspect whatsoever! Bottom line...I GOT A GOOD ONE!!! Good work Washburn and Musicians Friend! I am one Happy Camper (and I was prepared not to be and pleasantly surprised!) This mandolin is WONDERFUL!

This is my first mandolin. I play guitar, so I've been able to pick it up without too much difficulty. Firstly, this instrument is beautiful. I proudly display it for all to see (though the high-quality case that it came in is very nice). Having a large collection of guitars, I know a quality instrument when I see one. This mandolin is built strong and it feels solid when I play it. LOVE the sound/tone. I have made no adjustments to the instrument and have found that it pretty much stays in tune. Mandolins are sooo versatile. Just in the short three weeks that I've had it I have learned to play some bluegrass, country, Italian, Irish, rock, etc. If you want to add some color to your guitar playing, get a mandolin. I would recommend this Washburn mandolin to anybody, beginner to professional.

Listed as "Good" condition, I expected an instrument with more cosmetic flaws than it actually has. The cosmetic flaws are minor, and in some cases, difficult to locate. The instrument even has a new instrument sticker still on the pick guard and the chord is still sealed in plastic. The serial number seems to indicate the instrument was built this year (2013). Tone is good, set up is where it needs to be and the electronics work well. Overall, the instrument and very nice padded case show little to no wear. Plays well and I expect to keep the instrument for some time. The only problem I encountered is the E strings would not stay in tune. Turns out they were not wrapped on the tuning peg properly and once I changed strings the problem was solved.

Like others my first mando was a Rogue; a great starter unit. The Washburn was a "Stupid Deal . . .". Out of the box it was: incredibly beautiful, wonderful sounding and perfectly set-up! Plays as good as it looks; very well constructed. I started with Barcus-bary pickups on acoustics in the 70's, moving to Ovations later; the point being the electronics work as good as it looks and plays. More "Stupid Deals" please!

I see some good reviews of this mandolin here, so maybe what I received is not typical, but the instrument I received is horrible. It won't stay in tune. When the bridge is positioned for proper intonation, even at it's lowest adjustment the strings are too high. Even though I have adjusted the neck to be flat. The tone is strident and string balance is poor. The finish is poorly done and the binding is very sloppy. Honestly, I can't think of one good thing to say about this instrument. The case however is nice.

LOVE IT!However Washburn has changed the tailpiece. There is no longer a tailpiece cover over the strings like the photo on Musician's Friends website. Strings are open to view. Plays great out of the case. Amplified tone nice too.

I don't play publicly, but I enjoy recording songs on the computer. I had an inexpensive Rogue but wanted to step up in class to a decent acoustic/electric mandolin I could plug straight into my hardware without an amp. This Washburn works well for that. I like the feel and sound, and the pickup is almost too good -- I realized I had to improve my technique because it was picking up slight bumps and strings brushed inadvertently. If I were a performing pro,I might want something top of the line. But this instrument suits my purposes very well; plus, I just enjoy playing it!

Love the way it plays.As far as the electronics go it is junk.It has been sent in again for replacement.You never know when it will quit working.This is the second time it has died during a performance. It takes at least two months to get it back each time.

I bought a used one of these a few years back when I started to get serious about playing mandolin. I have been very happy with it both for its playability and overall quality. The mandolin itself needed some minor setup to get the string action and pitch at the upper frets to be spot on. Once it was set though, it has been great. In the last year or so I have started gigging with it quite a bit and it has proven to be very rugged and reliable.

The one thing that I didn't like about it though was the tone controls. It tended to be too treble-y when I would play though a large PA system. I had to turn my treble slider all the way down and my bass all the way up to get something that wasn't too punchy. Even then I just didn't like the sound. The crucial mids were getting muddled while trying to pull the highs under control. To work around this I ended up purchasing a Boss GE-7 equalizer pedal so I could control the exact bands I needed to. Since then this thing sounds GREAT on stage.